"We need to have a broader conversation about this," she said, adding that whether it's Olympic-level competition or grade-school gym class, an individual's participation in sports is often limited by societal gender roles.

The hope of Sunday's boat race was to give young transgender individuals, and those currently transitioning, a chance to "see themselves in something significant," she said.

Team captain Adrian Cornelissen spearheaded the pilot project at Hanlan Boat Club and said respect and acceptance are essential to creating a successful team.

"Not only do we have to row in synch, but there will be different moments when team members hit the wall," he said, noting that the half-marathon took about two hours.

Cornelissen estimated 10 and 15 teams took to the water, including singles, doubles and team boats, launching from the Ottawa New Edinburgh Club.

His idea for a transgender-inclusive rowing team was sparked by a desire to see role models for transgender youth, he said.

"It's the fact that they're part of a team. There are three women and two men in the boat, it just so happened that two of the women are from the trans community."

He added the program was made possible because of a well-defined policy of acceptance at the boat club, and a focus on inclusive recreational rowing for all skill levels.

"I would not have been able to do that in other clubs because their focus is very different," he said, adding that the program has put the issue of transgender discrimination at the forefront. "It's making sports organizations now take a look at their own policies."

Burton, 39, said her love of sports took a back seat when she recently transitioned from male to female.

Before her transition, she had been a competitive dodgeball player, white-water kayaker and baseball player.

"I was ready to go back to sports," she said, adding that her hope is to create visibility around transgender athletes. "I know when I was a kid there weren't any trans athletes out there at all."

Burton said societal discrimination is a daily struggle for transgender people.

"Even just walking down the streets sometimes, people stare, people say things," she said. "It's really tough on some people."